I was recently scrolling through a comments section on the Internet, a dangerous place to be, where people were fighting about whether a “90s kid” was someone born in that decade or who was a teenager during it. Being born in 1995, I often find myself in this strange limbo and have been categorized both as a 90s and early 2000s kid at some point. In the past several years, there has been this growing love and reminiscence for the 90s and people are starting to get defensive about who is a “true” 90s kid. This yearning for the past makes me feel older, like my childhood is becoming part of that retro, vintage trend. Here is a list of things most associated with the 90s.
1. In West Philadelphia born and raised…
Television shows like the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "All That", "Saved By the Bell," "Boy Meets World," and "Sister, Sister" were legendary. Shows for younger kids, that I would still watch today, include "Rocket Power," "Rugrats," "Wild Thornberrys," "Hey Arnold!" and "Power Rangers." Let's also not forget about some of the great movies that emerged, like "Titanic," "Jurassic Park," and "Clueless" to name a few.
2. The sounds of AOL starting up.
And the fact you couldn't be on the Internet while someone was using the telephone. It was a simpler time.
3. Mix tapes and CDs
You actually made mixed tapes and CDs for your friends because it was the only way to share your music. Just throw your latest jams into that Walkman and you are set to go.
4. Boy bands
What better artists to feature on those mixed tapes than the music from NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Boyz II Men? Beyond the explosion of boy bands, other great artists from the 90s were the Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, TLC, Britney Spears, and No Doubt.
5. Beanie Babies
Remember everyone always telling you to save your Beanie Babies because they will be worth a lot of money someday? Well, I’m still waiting for that to happen. Other iconic toys from the 90s my future kids will play with include Tamagotchi, Bop-It, Furby, Lisa Frank, Game Boys, and slap bracelets. Actually I take back the Furby. Those things were terrifying. Too bad I can’t just run over to Kay Bee Toys anymore to pick all these up.
6. MASH![]()
This game played an important role in predicting your future. You could deal with living in a house instead of a mansion, but there is no way you are having 23 kids with Ryan from math class.
7. Disney movies on VHS tapes
Somewhere in storage is a box full of the best VHS tapes ever. These include Lion King, Mulan, Aladdin, and a couple movies your parents never got around to watching. Some of those VHS tapes were bright orange like the Nickelodeon logo, and that just made them better.
8. Sugary snacks
I remember the days when no one cared how much sugar you ate. Giving your children Airheads, Hubba Bubba Bubbletape, and Gushers kept them quiet for a couple minutes, so why fight the sugar? If I walked into a store and saw those Cosmo Brownies right now I would only hesitate a second before buying them as I contemplate the processed corn syrup I'm about to consume.
9. The fashion statements that may be making a comeback soon.
You had everything from choker necklaces and plaid skirts to overalls and denim jackets. There were a lot of television teenagers who could pull off the eclectic look of mismatched clothes that seemed like they weren’t trying, which you had difficulty recreating. Paired with the “Rachel” haircut, those outfits made for some awkward photos from your youth.
10. The “S.”
You know which one.
There are two types of 90s kids in my opinion, and these two groups are the ones who fight all the time over who is really part of the 90s. There are those who were born in the mid to late 80s and experienced their teenage years in the 90s, and those who were born in the 90s and spent young childhood years in this decade. A lot of 90s trends continued into the early 2000s, but with an added identity on top that makes those earlier 90s kids reject those born after 1990. I consider myself a 90s kid, but I was definitely influenced a lot by the early 2000s as well. I suppose I’m more of a hybrid, but I will always claim the 1990s as my own.
